Fusion startups are giving the government shares in exchange for awards. Is it worth it? techcrunch.com

The Commerce Department awarded $175 million to Helion and $85 million to Commonwealth Fusion Systems for semiconductor development, in exchange for non-voting government equity stakes. Helion’s stake is about 1% based on its $15.5 billion valuation; CFS has not disclosed its valuation, leaving the stake size unknown. The deals add to a growing pattern of federal funding tied to equity, raising questions about whether the capital and government backing are worth the dilution and potential complications for future investors.